Family Fluff [closed]

Waking up from a chilly breeze that passed through the nursery, Kindlekit woke with a jolt. Lifting her head, the small grey she-cat looked around, somewhat disappointed that nothing was going on. Just the clan sleeping, as usual. It seemed as though when ever she was away, everyone else was asleep and when her mother forced her to take a nap, the clan was buzzing like bees. It wasn't fair and Kindlekit wouldn't stand for it, especially since she wasn't allowed to leave the nursery either.

Letting out a huff, the kit tried as best as she could to crawl out of the gentle grasp of her mother's tail that curled around her to keep her warm from Leafbare's uncontrollable cold winds. Looking for Furzekit, the she-cat waddled over to him and prodded his side with a grey paw. "F-furzekit," Kindlekit meowed softly, shaking on her not yet stable legs.

Not waiting for a response, the little cat made her way out of the nursery for the very first time. Whoa. When her paws stepped into something cold and crunchy, Kindlepaw gave a shocked squeak and fell backwards into the safety of the nursery. What in StarClan's name... the whole camp clearing was covered in this weird white, sparkly substance! Although beautiful, it was a little nerve racking for the small cat and trying to take in all the new sights and smells of the morning, it was a bit overwhelming. Even the apprentices and warriors that slept in the open had a light blanket of this on them. Was it eating them alive?

Inching out of the nursery entrance once more, she decided to give it a closer look, and pawed at the powder a couple of times, each time retracting her paw back quickly, just in case it was going to jump at her. Giving it a lick, Kindlekit was quick to realize it wasn't something to eat and spat it out. Too cold! But although it was cold, it didn't seem to be doing an harm, so maybe it was friend and not foe?

Closing an eye and taking a cautious step forward, preparing for the worst the kit placed a single paw into the powder, sinking a little ways.

After a few moments with her eyes shut and wondering if she was still alive, Kindlekit opened them and looked down to her paw. She was still alright and no missing limbs! Giggling from happiness, she leaped as high as her little legs could carry her and fell into the fluffy stuff, sending it flying everywhere. This was so exciting!

Prancing around in the snow and barley able to see anything from it covering her face, she headed towards nowhere in particular and before she was able to shake it all off from her pelt, Kindlekit bumped into something and fell back on her rump. Giving her head a shake so she could see better, the kit turned her gaze up to a larger cat, one who looked much like Smokepelt. With a playful smile still on her muzzle, Kindlekit gave a slight dip of her head, not aware of who this cat was. "I-I'm sorry," she meowed, followed by a sneeze. Father had always told her to be respectful, no matter who the cat.

Ashstar was walking around camp, looking around with pride at all the warriors and apprentices. Through all sorts of hardships, from betrayals to foolish wars, WindClan and its cats had stood firm. There was no way they would let a little bit of leaf-bare conquer them. Of course, all her worries were still valid, but with her Clanmates and StarClan on her side, there was no need for them to drive her to insomnia. Birchkit had told her that after she lost her second life, and so she had been quieter, more peaceful, as of late.

Knowing that the battle had only driven them closer together did not mitigate her anger towards Fishstar, that fool of a RiverClan she-cat, but there was no point in letting her righteous fury and indignation change her dealings with her Clanmates- her family, her friends. They deserved her time, too. Which was another reason why she was meandering about camp at the same time the sunlight came up- she wanted to talk with her Clanmates, and be one of them again. She missed being Ashwing.

Ashstar stumbled backwards when a kit, prancing around in the fluffy snow, accidentally knocked into her. Smiling, she looked down at the she-kit. She looked remarkably like her son- one of his kits, perhaps? "Good morning," she purred. "What's your name?"

Furzekit shifted in his sleep, grumbling at the gentle touch to his flank and the sound of his own name. He assumed his litter-mate, Kindlekit, wanted to play again. She was always so full of energy, could she not lay down and simply sleep for once? It was so early... Yet, the larger, fluffy kit turned over on his side without getting up and opened an eye to peer at his sister, who was already padding away toward the nursery entrance. He huffed and blinked the sleep from his eyes as he got to his paws, using stubby legs to prop himself up.

He watched with dreary eyes as she frolicked outside the den, dancing around in a strange, white power. He squinted his eyes, quickly realizing that the entire camp was covered in this stuff. This got the kit's attention, and he wasted no time to get to his paws an investigate.

Furzekit basically mirrored Kindlekit in the first actions, first placing a shaky paw into the cold substance, only to draw back in shock. It was so cold! He leaned forward, sticking his nose closer to the ground to get a whiff of the snow. "Kindlekit..!" He called feebly, a questionable look in his orange eyes. "H-how are you..." He started to ask, but paused at the sight of an approaching older cat.

Looking up to the cat, Kindlekit tilted her head. This cat didn't know who she was? That was odd. Being the deputy's daughter, the kit was sure that everyone would've known who she was. "I'm Kindlekit!" she mewed cheerfully, still sitting on rump and puffed out her not very fluffy chest fur to look stronger. "S-Smokepelt and Hazef-fur's kit!" Kindlekit added, flicking her tail back and forth.

Hearing Furzekit's voice, the grey she-cat turned around to see her littermate standing at the entrance of the nursery. "Furzekit!" she squeaked happily. "Come here!" Mewing from giddiness and excitement, Kindlekit stood up and gave a little jump in the air, turning her head back to the other grey cat. "Who are you?" she questioned with big, bright eyes.

Ashstar smiled at Furzekit as he walked out, then turned her attention back to Kindlekit. Her son's kits- yes, she should have recognized them. Furzekit looked just like Smokepelt, while Kindlekit took after Hazefur. And herself. Yes, Kindlekit looked remarkably like her. She needed to get out and seemed Clanmates more- the last time she'd seen these two, they had been little balls of fluffy fur at Hazefur's belly, eyes still tightly shut, warm with their mother and father's love. What other kits were on the nursery that she wasn't aware of? Likely, some of them were ready for apprenticeship.

Kindlekit reminded her of herself as a kit. Shimmerkit, a young scrap of gray fur, ready to be the best warrior in ShadowClan- alongside her brother of course, who would be second-best.... But not if he could help it. Yes, Furzekit was quite a bit like Birchkit. Not quite as charismatic and energetic as his sister, more quiet and calculating. But, strong in his own right nonetheless, and good at anything he put his determined young mind to.

The WindClan leader could only hope that they would grow up like she should have, and not like she did.... Parents murdered in cold blood by a ThunderClan invasion, forced to run away to find relative safety and change their names, but Birchkit was taken by a hawk, leaving poor Ashkit alone. No, these kits would grow up safe and protected by WindClan.

Ashstar smiled down at Kindlekit as she asked who she was. "I am your father's mother," she replied kindly. "Ashstar, the leader of WindClan. It's nice to meet you, Kindlekit."

Furzekit huffed, and stuck a paw in the cold beneath him, letting out a shiver at it's sensation. He hobbled over to Kindlekit, and the larger, older cat who he had yet to meet.

As he approached the conversing pair, he picked up the grey she-cat's words. The leader? Our leader? He smiled a bit, excitement flooding through him at the thought of being related to such an important character. "Y-you hear that Kindlekit?" He shivered from the cold, despite his thick fur. "We're related to t-the leader!" He chimed, orange eyes brightening as well.

Listening to the grey cat, the kit's face lit up even more at the news. She was her father's mother? How special! Before she was able to reply, Furzekit came over. "Wow!" she breathed, watching as her misty breath disappeared into the cold air. "I bet I'll be the leader someday! I'll be a warrior just like dad!" the she-kit exclaimed, puffing out her chest fur and meeting Ashstar's eyes.

About to burst with excitement from her outrageous yet wonderful little daydreams, Kindlekit turned her gaze from the leader back to Furzekit, realizing that she was leaving him out. With her guilty side taking over, she nudged the tom with her shoulder. "I bet you'd make a great leader too!" she purred, looking to her brother with a grin.

~~~

Finally able to relax and get some rest, Smokepelt had never slept better. From the moment his pelt touched his nest, the tom had crashed. He'd slept through the snow that had fallen through the night and if the excited little chirps of kits hadn't awoken him, he could've slept all Leafbare.

Lifting his head and letting out a yawn, Smokepelt winced from the pain that shot through his jaw. Stupid RiverClan cats. As if it wasn't enough for it to already be Leafbare, they also had to come and pillage the camp, leaving cats injured left and right. Having less warriors and apprentices than before, the clan was hanging on by a thread and with all the rumors floating around about them, he doubted they'd be getting help from any other clan anytime soon.

Sighing, Smokepelt stood up and shook the thin layer of snow off of his pelt and let out a shiver. Looking around, the clearing was peaceful and although the silence could be a bit lonely, it was kind of nice. Being relatively earlier morning, no one was awake yet except for some figures that stood a few foxlengths away and curious as to whom they were and what they were doing, the deputy decided to go check it out, even though his legs were still a bit stiff from sleeping curled up and his wounds started to hurt from the movement. Sleeping partially in the open during Leafbare was not very fun.

Making his way towards the cats, he easily recognized his mother but for a moment had trouble figuring out who the other two were. They were definitly kits, but covered in snow, the white powder hid their scents.

"Kindlekit? Furzekit?" the tom meowed, reaching the trio. Giving a dip of his head to his mother, Smokepelt looked to his kits in a soft, yet stern sort of way. "You both know not to leave the nursery," the dark grey tom warned, looking from Kindlekit and then to her brother. Though only kits, they knew what was right from wrong, especially Furzekit, the more quiet and cautious one...

Letting out a sigh, Smokepelt shifted his gaze to the little she-cat. "Kindlekit, was this your idea?" he questioned, disappointed that she'd gone against him and their mother's wishes. Leaving the nursery in Leafbare could mean certain death for some kits and he was glad that he'd caught them when he did.

Looking to Ashstar, Smokepelt gave her a soft smile. "Sorry about this," he apologized, hoping the two of them didn't disturb the leader.

Ashstar grinned at the young kits. Let them have their dreams of leading- they didn't know what stress was. Or pain, or grief. Lucky, innocent kits. They were getting close to apprenticing age, weren't they? Who would be suitable mentors for these little balls of energy and fluff? She was busy with Mottlepaw, herself. "You know, being just like your father is one of the greatest things to aspire for," she purred. "If you keep to the code, listen to your parents, and get enough sleep, you might even be better than him someday." She winked at the two kits, feeling the urge to lick a tuft of wayward fluff on Furzekit's head back into place. "Is Hazefur still asleep?" It was refreshing to have cats like her.

She let out a laugh as her son came over. "No offense, Smokepelt, but you and Sharppaw were just like this when you were kits. I had my paws full- and so did Icestorm. He had a time of it trying to keep you out of Falconstar's den, as I recall. You bothered the medicine cats and the elders, too." She shook her head in remembrance as he gently reprimanded the two. "Oh, it's fine, Smokepelt. I need to get out more, and your kits are a real treasure. Tell me, how's Hazefur?"

Furzekit glanced toward Kindlekit, "sure you'll be leader someday," he mewed sarcastically, a small playful grin pulling at the corner of his muzzle. "Let's just focus on becoming the best warriors WindClan has ever s-seen!" He purred alongside his sister, followed by a playful swipe through the crisp air.

Then a familiar voice struck him from his excited thoughts, he turned around to see their father stalking toward them. Oh no, we weren't supposed to leave the nursery! He thought, suddenly growing nervous. He hated getting in trouble, and should have known better and stayed inside the warm den.

<<>>

Hazefur woke slowly, finding her slumber rather peaceful that night, considering the two new bundles of fur she had to keep her eyes on.

Wait, they're gone! She lifted her head, looking at the empty spot where Furzekit and Kindlekit had been wrapped up behind her tail. She glanced around the den before getting to her paws and scurrying out of the den to look in the camp. Those two know not to leave the nursery, she mentally scolded, and quickly scanned the camp. Oh thank StarClan, she let out a breath of air, watching briefly as it spiraled away from her and disappeared. Ashstar and Smokepelt had already found them, and she wasted no time to make her way over and meet them.

"Furzekit, Kindlekit!" She called first to grab their attention, slowing down as she reached the small group. "What were you two thinking?" She narrowed her eyes, then glanced over to Smokepelt, assuming he had already scolded them.

Giggling at Ashstar's comment about possibly being better than Smokepelt, Kindlekit couldn't imagine what it would be like to out do her father. How could anyone ever become a better warrior than him? Not only was he the clan deputy, but for StarClan's sake, he was a loyal and courageous warrior! In the small cat's mind, no one could ever top him or his mother. Little did she know about the secrets that these two cats kept to themselves, muwahahaha!//shot

"Yeah, she is really tired for some reason," the kit mewed, her excited tail sending snow flying everywhere. Unfortunately, she wasn't able to relax any longer for the familiar sound of her father except more angry sent shivers up her spine, more so than the cold weather was.

Hearing the familiar and usually soft voice boom behind her, Kindlekit knew that only meant one thing, she was in trouble. Laying her ears flat on her head, the grey she-cat turned around to face her father, an embarrassed smile upon her muzzle. Here we go... she thought to herself, knowing some sort of speech was coming.

Listening to Smokepelt talk, Kindlekit crouched lower and lower to the ground, embarrassed that Ashstar had to see her get yelled at and feeling bad for disobeying her father. "I-I," she started but the leader began to speak. Looking up to Ashstar, Kindlekit couldn't help but admire the older she-cat. Then again, who didn't admire her? She was the leader of WindClan for crying out loud.

Sitting up a little straighter, Kindlekit kept switching her gaze from her father and to Ashstar. It was evident that both cats thought differently on the kit's actions and she hated seeing her father so tense but at the same time was grateful for the leader's assistance with the matter. "I'm sorry! I just wanted to explore!" she blurted out, looking at her father with an apologetic expression and shivering from the snow that was starting to seep through her thin pelt.

Before she was able to say any more, Hazefur joined them. Great, another cat to be disappointed in her.

~~~

About to rebut, Ashstar continued and he stayed quiet, his stern expression softening as she mentioned him, Sharppaw, and soon Icestorm. The past... a time when he could call life truly peaceful. A time with little to no battles, silly skirmishes, tension at gatherings. Plus, Sharppaw and Icestorm were still with him, so their family was complete.

Taking what Ashstar said into consideration, Smokepelt looked down to Furzekit and the Kindlekit. They were still so young and innocent, they didn't deserve to be scolded, even if they didn't make the best decision. They were still learning.

Before looking back to the kits, Smokepelt gave Hazefur a reassuring lick on her cheek. "You both know what you did went against our wishes," he started, keeping the same sternness to his tone. "But, I understand why you wanted to explore the new world and for that, I can't exactly punish you," the tom meowed and within a split second, a playful smile was on the stoic tom's muzzle.

"So, while we're out here, we might as well have some fun!" Smokepelt exclaimed without a moment's notice. Grabbing Kindlekit by the scruff, the tom tossed the kit (not very high) into the air and with a squeal of excitement and fear, she fell into the fluffy white powder bellow with an 'oof', disappearing for a second before her head popped up like a rabbit emerging out of its hole. "Again! Again!" she laughed, trying to make her way through the deep patch of sparkly, white powder.

Bounding over to the kit, Smokepelt motioned with his tail for Furzekit to follow. Although he could stern and serious at times, he still knew how to have fun with his kits and prancing around them in belly deep snow, ignoring the pain from his wounds and jaw, having a family like this was the best thing that had ever happened to the tom.

Ashstar grew nostalgic as Smokepelt played with the kits. Hazefur was a lucky she-cat. As her son and her grandkits played, it occurred to her that even though nearly all of her original family was dead, life would continue. She still had her son, and now she had kits to play with again. Even though RiverClan was still on the warpath, and half her Clan hated her because of her choice to try and save her son instead of a few wounded warriors- which was remarkably shortsighted of them, as WindClan would have been worse off without Smokepelt than with that battle- WindClan would stay together. They were still the closest Clan to StarClan, and the code. And she knew that StarClan approved of what she was doing- they had told her so.

The light gray she-cat watched happily as her son and grandkits played. She kind of wanted to join in, but she wasn't sure how. So she watched. She was content to just be Ashwing again- a mother and a friend. Even though she had failed in both positions, it was nice to be free from the stress of Ashstar, if only for a little while.

Furzekit didn't speak, but instead simply stared at his paws and waited for Smokepelt to finish.

Then, at the sound of having fun, the tom-kit looked up, flicking his tail in surprise when he saw Kindlekit in the air, then land in a heap in a snow pile. He let his jaw fall open, a small smile emerging from the corner of his muzzle. "Me next!" He begged, and pranced over to his father, tripping over his own paws as he made his way forward.

<<>>

Hazefur flicked an ear, staying quiet yet keeping a firm posture, letting Smokepelt explain to their kits that they must keep to the set rules. She let her body relax as her mate began to speak more softly, and let a light smile cross her muzzle.

Then to her own surprise, she watched as her kit was tossed skyward, thankfully not too far. "Be careful, Smokepelt!" She warned, still a new mother and obviously very worried for her kits safety, but of course she knew she could trust the deputy to keep their kits safe from harm.

Letting out a meow as if he were a kit again, Smokepelt grabbed Furzekit's scruff and tossed the noticeably heavier kit into the air like he did with Kindlekit. The grey tom landed in the snow and sent it flying everywhere once more. Watching as the kits played together, the deputy sat down, breathing heavily. Having so many injuries from multiple battles was taking a toll on the tom and his entire side felt like it was on fire. Another factor of pain was with his jaw like it was, playing with the kits like this probably wasn't the best idea.

Slowly rotating his jaw like the medicine cat had told him to, the bone popped out of place and with a quick, shrill screech of pain, Smokepelt jumped up, more surprised by the shock of pain then was sent through his mouth. Great StarClan! Would it ever heal? Letting out a hiss, the tom stood where he was, his jaw in an awkward position as he tried to move it to a more comfortable position than hanging off to the side.